1.5.19 obituaries

During her time spent at Coastal Manor, she was loved and cared for by the most loving and passionate caregivers, her family said.

She and her family were “blessed with five generations of love,” her family said She was born on Oct. 3, 1920, in Liberty County before this area was divided becoming Long County, to Arthur and Corinne Smith. She attended school in Long County. Having been the baby of nine siblings, she was introduced to her husband, Joseph Parker Dunham Sr., by her older brothers.

The couple had a 22-year age difference but celebrated a happy life, full of love for each other and their four children. They were married for 35 years before Mr. Dunham passed away in 1972. They made their home in the Jones Creek community, where they reared their children.

Mrs. Dunham became a member of Jones Creek Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was an active member of her church. In 2015, she was honored as the oldest living member of Jones Creek Baptist Church.

The couple moved to Jesup from Long County in the late 1960s, and Mrs. Dunham resided here until her health began to fail and she moved to live with her son, Parker, and his wife, Chris, in Ludowici. During her years in Wayne County, she was employed at Parks Manufacturing as a seamstress. She will always be remembered for her ability to turn a piece of fabric into a beautiful garment. She attended New Testament Baptist Church in Jesup, where she taught numerous children in Sunday school and was a member of the choir. Her activities and dedication to her church and her Lord were admired by the people who cherish her memories.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Parker Dunham Sr.; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Parker Dunham Jr. and Christie Dunham; a son-in-law, Kenneth Youngblood; and a grandson-in-law, Steve Zettler.

Survivors include her daughters, Karen (Kay) Dunham Youngblood of Reidsville and Gayle Dunham Scott of Screven, and her son and daughter-in-law, Langston and Lana Dunham of Reidsville.

In addition to being a loving wife and mother, she was a loving “Grandma,” “Ma” and “D” to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by her nine grandchildren, Kim (Ken) Tatum, Krystal (Ricky) Trull, Tina (Jason) Breeden, Jody (Brandi) Dunham, Michelle (Mike) Hargrove, Shely Ratliff, Shea Zettler, Shannon Dunham and Brandi Dunham; 20 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Jan. 4 at Jones Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Allan Pierce officiated with eulogies given by her granddaughters, Kim Tatum and Michelle Hargrove. Interment followed in Jones Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Family members are very much thankful to all who have extended love and support during this time. Her family would like to request that donations be made to Tattnall County C.A.R.E.S. P.O. Box 2356, Reidsville, GA 30453 or Coastal Manor Nursing Home 128 Coastal Manor Drive, SE, Ludowici, GA 31316.

A Wayne County native, he was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and a 1957 graduate of Jesup High School, where he enjoyed playing football with the Yellow Jackets. He was active in coaching the Screven Pirates in the county recreation program; was retired from Altamaha Technical College; and served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was asked to play football.

He was predeceased by his parents, Scuff and Cleo Wimpey Lightsey; a brother, Larry Lightsey; and two great-grandchildren, Madison and Tanner Smith.

Survivors are his wife of 58 years, Odean Bennett Lightsey of Screven; daughters, Pam (Don) Paradice of Vidalia and Shay (Gene) Roland of Jesup; a son, Lee “Stump” (Becky) Lightsey of Baxley; extended children, Sharon (Eric) Mack of Collins, Billy Davis of Lyons, and Janet (John) Royal of Screven; 14 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today (Saturday) at Screven First Baptist Church with Dr. Brad Ellington and the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating A private family interment service will follow in the Bennett Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Trey and Ben Lightsey, Byron Cowart, Jamark Smith, Jonathan Poppell, and Sammy Stover. Honorary pallbearers will be the senior adult members of Screven First Baptist Church.

He was born in Chatham County to the late Leonard Leroy and Louise Agnes Moore Healan. He was a retired paint contractor and was a member of Port Wentworth Church of God. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran having served during the Vietnam Era, doing two tours in Germany.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Billy Healan.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Anderson Healan of Jesup; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Jimmy and Dayle Healan of Faulkville and Ben Daniel Healan of Ellabell; a sister, Doni H. Goff of Tampa, Florida; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Healan; an uncle and aunt, Zeno and Janelle Moore; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Dec. 31 at Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplin Ron Knapp officiating. Burial followed at Union Baptist Church Cemetery.